AFC North draft needs: Browns must maximize vast draft capital

With the 2017 NFL Draft around the corner, former NFL scout Bucky Brooks and Around The NFL's Conor Orr are breaking down the biggest areas of need for every team in the NFL, division by division. Below is Bucky's look at the AFC North.

The Browns need to add blue-chip players to the roster on both sides of the ball. While quarterback is frequently cited as the team's biggest need, the 2017 class lacks a sure-fire franchise talent at the position who's worthy of coming off the board as the first overall pick. Thus, Texas A&M DE Myles Garrett is the slam-dunk pick at No. 1. He checks all the boxes as an elite prospect (athleticism, character and production) -- no need to overthink it. The Browns could consider Clemson's Deshaun Watson, North Carolina's Mitchell Trubisky, Notre Dame's DeShone Kizer, Texas Tech's Patrick Mahomes or Cal's Davis Webb with one of their next three picks (Nos. 12, 33 and 52 overall). If Cleveland doesn't believe Cameron Erving is the right man for the job at right tackle, the team could target Wisconsin's Ryan Ramczyk, Alabama's Cam Robinson or Utah's Garett Bolles early.

The Steelers are missing blue-chip performers at the backbone position of their defense -- outside linebacker -- so it is imperative that they find an impact pass rusher in the draft to remain a playoff contender. James Harrison can't play forever. Given the priority of the position, the Steelers could make a run at any of the possible candidates who could be within range near the bottom of the first round. Missouri's Charles Harris, Michigan's Taco Charlton, Temple's Haason Reddick and Alabama's Tim Williams offer some intriguing skills. At inside linebacker, the team needs to replace the departed Lawrence Timmons. Pittsburgh could hone in on a rock-solid tackling machine like Ohio's Blair Brown, LSU's Kendell Beckwith or Illinois' Hardy Nickerson in the later rounds. On offense, the team needs to find a big-time TE1 to occupy the middle of the field in the passing game. Miami's David Njoku would be the ideal candidate, given his size/speed combination, but he might not be around when the Steelers go on the clock. The team could target Ashland's Adam Shaheen or Michigan's Jake Butt as traditional tight end prospects on Day 2.